End of The Weeknd or Rebirth?

One of the first truly monumental releases of 2025 arrived with The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow. Initially set for a January 24 drop, the album was pushed back a week in light of the devastating wildfires that swept across Los Angeles. But once it landed—and with a massive North American tour alongside Playboi Carti and Mike Dean on the way—Abel season was in full swing.

From the opening track, it was clear The Weeknd wasn’t holding back. The first line on “Wake Me Up” — “All I have is my legacy” — felt like more than just lyrics; it was a mission statement for the entire project.

Hurry Up Tomorrow marked the final installment in a trilogy, following After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022). It managed to push forward sonically while wrapping up a chapter—perhaps even the whole book—as Abel reportedly retired The Weeknd moniker with this release. The album moved through the many sounds he’s helped shape: from the shadowy, drug-laced R&B of his early mixtapes to the arena-sized pop of hits like “Blinding Lights.” In the end, it felt like a farewell worthy of one of the biggest artists on the planet—equal parts reflective, ambitious, and unforgettable.